Electric machine with combined insulator and terminal assembly

ABSTRACT

An electronics package for an alternator includes a positive carrier member having an inner side and an outer side, a plurality of switches connected to the positive carrier member, and a terminal assembly engaging the positive carrier member. The terminal assembly includes an electrically insulative portion and a plurality of electrical traces attached to the electrically insulative portion. The electrically insulative portion includes a post extending from the inner side to the outer side of the positive carrier member, a first shoulder engaging the outer side of the positive carrier member, and a second shoulder engaging the inner side of the positive carrier member. The second shoulder is provided by a deformed segment of the post. The post, first shoulder, and second shoulder are all formed as a unitary component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/958,511, filed Dec. 3, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/250,688, filed Apr. 11, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,627,948, the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD

This application relates to the field of electric machines, and moreparticularly to an insulation arrangement for an electronic componentpackage including a rectifier that is mounted to the electric machine.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle alternators produce three-phase alternating current that isrectified into a direct current. The associated voltage can be stored ina battery of a vehicle or be used directly by the electrical circuit ofthe vehicle, which is supplied with a direct current (DC) voltage.Rectification of the three-phase alternating current may be obtained bymeans of a rectifier bridge having six power switches. The rectificationof an n-phase alternating current may be obtained by means of arectifier bridge having 2*n power switches. Commonly, a rectification of6-phase alternating current is found in alternators and therefore thesealternators require a rectifier bridge having 12 power switches. Otherlesser common alternators have a 5-phase or 7-phase alternating currentand therefore respectively require a rectifier bridge having 10 or 14power switches. As well known to those skilled in the art, more switchesthan 2*n may be utilized if switches are connected in parallel or ifswitches are utilized to rectify the neutral point of the statorwinding. Most commonly, the type of power switch is a diode, but othertypes of switches may also be utilized such as FETS, MOSFETS or anyother type of electric switch. Three of these switches are the positiveswitches, and these positive switches are connected between the phaseterminals of the stator windings of the alternator and the positiveterminal B+ of the alternator which is connected to the battery and theelectrical circuit of the vehicle. Three further switches, namely thenegative switches, are connected between electrical ground or earth ofthe vehicle and the aforementioned phase terminals of the statorwindings.

The positive and negative switches make up a rectifier bridge that issubjected to high current. Hence, it is necessary to cool the switchesin the most effective way possible. To this end, the switches arecommonly mounted on metal members arranged on the outside of thealternator. The metal members not only serve as mounting members, butalso serve as a heat sink designed to dissipate heat produced by theswitches. The switches are typically grouped on two carrier members, oneof which is reserved for the positive switches (i.e., a positive carriermember), and the other for the negative switches (i.e., a negativecarrier member). The rectifier switches may be inserted by pressure inreceiving bore holes of the carrier member/heat sink, or may be solderedto the carrier member using appropriate solder alloys. The end wiresconnected to the rectifier switches enable the rectifier switches to beconnected to the leads of the stator windings of the electric machine.

In such an alternator arrangement where the rectifier bridge is mountedon carrier members, the negative carrier member is connected to avehicle ground/battery return path. The vehicle ground/battery returnpath is often provided by the engine itself, including a path throughthe alternator housing. Therefore, the negative carrier member may beprovided by the alternator housing itself. On the other hand, thepositive carrier member is connected to a terminal and an electricalcable connects the terminal to the positive terminal of the vehiclebattery. The negative carrier member must be electrically isolated fromthe positive carrier member. Accordingly, an insulator must be insertedbetween the positive carrier member and the negative carrier member. Theinsulator is typically configured to provide both electrical isolationand a desired spatial separation between the positive and negativecarrier members.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an end portion (e.g., a slip ringend) of a typical alternator including an alternator housing 112 servingas the negative carrier member, and a heat sink 130 serving as thepositive carrier member. A terminal assembly 140 sits on top of thepositive carrier member and includes posts that extend through anopening of positive carrier member. The terminal assembly includeselectrical traces 46 providing electrically conductive lines that makeconnections from the switches 128 to the leads of the stator windings ofthe electric machine. As noted previously, the positive carrier member130 must be electrically isolated from the negative carrier member 112.Therefore, an insulator 200 is positioned between the positive carriermember 130 and the negative carrier member 112. The insulator iscomprised of an insulating material such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS),and must be sufficient in thickness to provide a desired separationbetween the positive carrier member and the negative carrier member. Theinsulator, terminal assembly, positive carrier member, and negativecarrier member are fixed together by bolts, rivets or other fastenersthat may extend from the terminal assembly to the housing. As shown inFIG. 9, a bolt 148 has a head that abuts the terminal assembly and athreaded portion that extends through the terminal assembly and positivecarrier member and is threaded in a receptacle in the negative carriermember (i.e., the alternator housing).

While the foregoing arrangement provides an effective arrangement formounting an electronics package to an alternator, there are numerousparts which are relatively expensive, and each of these parts must bemaintained and handled during the manufacturing process. Accordingly, itwould be desirable to provide an alternator arrangement having anelectronics package that may be mounted to the alternator with fewerparts. It would also be advantageous if the alternator arrangementresulted in reduced component costs and reduced complexity during themanufacturing process.

SUMMARY

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the disclosure, there isprovided an electronics package for an alternator. The electronicspackage includes a positive carrier member having an inner side and anouter side, a plurality of switches connected to the positive carriermember, and a terminal assembly engaging the positive carrier member.The terminal assembly includes an electrically insulative portion and aplurality of electrical traces attached to the electrically insulativeportion. The electrically insulative portion includes a post extendingfrom the inner side to the outer side of the positive carrier member, afirst shoulder engaging the outer side of the positive carrier member,and a second shoulder engaging the inner side of the positive carriermember. The second shoulder is provided by a deformed segment of thepost. The post, first shoulder, and second shoulder are all formed as aunitary component.

Pursuant to another embodiment of the disclosure, an alternator includesa plurality of windings, a rectifier, a carrier member, and a unitaryterminal assembly. The rectifier is electrically connected to thewindings and includes a plurality of diodes mounted on the carriermember. The carrier member includes a first surface and a second surfaceopposite the first surface. A unitary terminal assembly is coupled tothe carrier member. The unitary terminal assembly includes an insulativeportion with electrical traces extending through the insulative portion.The electrical traces provide a connection between the plurality ofdiodes and the plurality of windings. The insulative portion of theunitary terminal assembly engage both the first surface and the secondsurface of the carrier member, including a first shoulder engaging thefirst surface of the carrier member and a second shoulder engaging thesecond surface of the carrier member.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure there isprovided an electronics package for an alternator comprising a carriermember and a terminal assembly. The carrier member includes an innerside and an outer side. The terminal assembly engages the carriermember. The terminal assembly includes an electrically insulativeportion and a plurality of electrical traces. The electricallyinsulative portion includes a post extending from the outer side to theinner side of the carrier member, and a shoulder engaging the inner sideof the carrier member. The shoulder is provided by a deformed segment ofthe post.

The above described features and advantages, as well as others, willbecome more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art byreference to the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings. While it would be desirable to provide an electric machinewith an electronics package that provides one or more of these or otheradvantageous features, the teachings disclosed herein extend to thoseembodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims,regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentionedadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows schematic diagram of a vehicle electrical system includingan electric machine having an electronics package;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an end portion of the electricmachine of FIG. 1 including a carrier and a unitary insulator andterminal assembly;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an end portion of the electricmachine of FIG. 2 including the carrier and the unitary insulator andterminal assembly;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the carrier and the terminal assemblyfrom an inner side of the carrier;

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a method for assembling the end portion ofthe electric machine of FIG. 2 including the carrier and the unitaryinsulator and terminal assembly;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the carrier and the unitaryinsulator and terminal assembly of FIG. 4 following deformation of thepost of the terminal assembly;

FIG. 7 shows an inner perspective view of the carrier and the unitaryinsulator and terminal assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the carrier and the terminalassembly of FIG. 4 from an inner side of the carrier; and

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a prior art terminal assembly andinsulator.

DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is an alternator 10 for a vehicle. As generally shownin FIG. 2, the alternator 10 includes an electronics package including apositive carrier member 30, a negative carrier member 32, a terminalassembly 40, and at least one fastener 48 connecting the positivecarrier member 30 and the terminal assembly 40 to the negative carriermember 32. The general arrangement of the alternator 10 is firstdiscussed below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, followed by adiscussion of FIGS. 3-7 disclosing a specific embodiment of the terminalassembly configured and arranged in a manner that separates the positivecarrier member 30 from the negative carrier member 32.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the alternator 10 is shown in schematic formpositioned in a vehicle 8. The vehicle 8 includes an engine 50 and abattery 22 supported by a vehicle chassis. The word “vehicle” as usedherein refers to any device designed to carry or transport something orsomeone, including, without limitation, cars, trucks, boats, trains andplanes. The engine 50 provides a drive torque for moving the vehicle 8.

The engine 50 is operably coupled to the rotor 14 of the alternator 10such that operation of the engine 50 results in rotation of the rotor 14and its field coil. In particular, when an ignition switch 52 is closed,electrical current from the battery 22 is delivered to a starter motor(not shown). When the starter motor is energized, it cranks the engine50. When the engine 50 fires, the rotor 14 spins and the alternator 10generates an output voltage at node 54. The output voltage of thealternator 10 is utilized to electrically charge the battery 22 and isalso utilized by other electrical devices of the vehicle 8 asrepresented by the vehicle load 56.

As shown in FIG. 1, the alternator 10 may be defined to include thosecomponents positioned within or connected to an alternator housing 12(represented by way of illustration as a dotted line box in FIG. 1).Accordingly, the alternator 10 includes the rotor 14, the stator 18, arectifier 24, and a voltage regulator 58. The alternator housing 12 istypically a metal casing, such as a steel casing or a cast aluminumcasing. However, it will be recognized that the housing 12 could also becomprised of any other suitable material.

The rotor 14 is positioned on a rotatable shaft and the stator 18 isstationary within the housing 12. The rotor 14 of the alternator 10includes a field coil 60 that receives current from the regulator 58 ascontrolled by the regulator operating a field current control program.

The stator 18 is stationary within the alternator and includes windings62 positioned around the rotor 14. The stator 18 generates an outputcurrent having a magnitude that is based on the current through thefield coil 60. The stator 18 is electrically coupled to the rectifier24, which delivers the alternator output current at node 54.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronics package 20 is mounted on theend of the housing 12 and is connected to a vehicle battery 22. Theelectronics package includes the regulator 58 and a rectifier 24. Theregulator 58 generally includes a processor or chip configured toreceive inputs and control a current to the field coil 60. Accordingly,the regulator 58 includes a voltage input (B+ or S) that provides asignal indicative of the voltage at the positive terminal of the battery22. Based at least in part on this signal, the regulator 58 controlscurrent through the field coil 60, and therefore an associated outputvoltage and an output current from the alternator 10. The regulatordetermines the proper field coil current based on the various regulatorinputs, which may include, for example, signals from an engine controlmodule (ECM) 70, temperature sensor 72, current sensor 64, ignitionswitch 52, stator windings, battery 22, and any of various othersignals.

The rectifier 24 of the electronics package 20 includes a plurality ofpositive switches 26 and a plurality of negative switches 28. Thepositive switches 26 and negative switches 28 may be provided by diodes,FETS, MOSFETS or any other type of electric switch, as will berecognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. With particularreference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the positive switches 26 are retained by apositive carrier member 30 and the negative switches 28 are retained bya negative carrier member 32. The terminal assembly 40 provideselectrical connections between the positive switches 26 and the negativeswitches 28 and the stator windings 62. In addition, as explained infurther detail below, the terminal assembly 40 also separates andelectrically insulates the positive carrier member 30 from the negativecarrier member 32.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the negative carrier member32 is provided by an end portion of the alternator housing 12. Thenegative carrier member 32 is designed to conduct current and also actas a heat sink for the negative switches 28 of the rectifier. Thus, thenegative carrier member 32 is generally comprised of a material havinggood electrical and thermal conduction properties. For example, thenegative carrier member 32 may be comprised of a material such asaluminum or steel. The negative carrier member 32 may be provided as arelatively thin member in the form of a plate which may have a contouredsurface with various surface features to facilitate mounting and heattransfer. However, it will be recognized by those skilled in the artthat the negative carrier member 32 may also be provided in forms thatmay not be considered a plate. Examples of heat transfer features on thenegative carrier member 32 include fins, ribs or other features thatprovide for heat transfer qualities, allowing the negative carriermember 32 to better serve as a heat sink for the negative switches 28.Examples of mounting features on the negative carrier member 32 includebosses 78, as shown in FIG. 3, formed on the outer surface of thenegative carrier member 32. It will be recognized by those skilled inthe art that the surface features such as the bosses 78 and the heattransfer features may be optional. The bosses 78 can be cylindrical inshape and extend above the majority of the outer surface of the negativecarrier member. A threaded hole 94 is formed at the center of the bosses78. The switches 28 may be retained on the surface of the negativecarrier member 32 in any of a number of ways, such as in a friction fitin surface features of the negative carrier member 32 or using anadhesive or epoxy material. The alternator housing 12, including thenegative carrier member 32, is electrically connected to chassis groundfor the vehicle 8. Thus, the negative carrier member 32 is electricallyconnected to the negative terminal of the battery 22.

The positive carrier member 30 is positioned next to, but separated fromthe negative carrier member 32 on the end of the alternator housing 12.Similar to the negative carrier member 32, the positive carrier member30 is also designed to conduct current while also acting as a heat sinkfor the positive switches 26 of the rectifier 24. Thus, the positivecarrier member 30 is generally comprised of a material having goodelectrical and thermal conduction properties. For example, the positivecarrier member 30 may be comprised of a material such as aluminum orcopper. The positive carrier member 30 may be provided as a relativelythin member in the form of a plate which may have a contoured surfacewith various surface features to facilitate mounting and heat transfer.However, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that thepositive carrier member 30 may also be provided in forms that may not beconsidered a plate. In at least one embodiment, the positive carriermember 30 may be provided as a C-shaped plate that it is relatively flatand thin and has a generally semi-circular footprint. Examples of heattransfer features that may be included on the positive carrier member 30include fins, ribs or other features that provide for additional heattransfer qualities, allowing the positive carrier member 30 to betterserve as a heat sink for the positive switches 26. The positive carriermember 30 includes an outer surface 36 on a side opposite the negativecarrier member 32, and an inner surface 38 that faces the negativecarrier member 32. The inner surface 38 may be substantially smooth andflat. In contrast, the outer surface 36 is relatively contoured.

A plurality of holes 66, 67, 68 are provided on the positive carriermember 30. These holes 66, 67, 68 provide passages from the outersurface 36 to the inner surface 38 of the positive carrier member 30.Holes 66 are configured to receive the terminal assembly 40; holes 67are configured for passage of cooling air; holes 68 are configured toreceive the positive switches 26 or pass leads to the negative switches28. The switches 26 may be retained on the surface of the positivecarrier member 30 in any of a number of ways, such as in a friction fitin the holes 68 or other surface features of the positive carrier member30 or using an adhesive or epoxy material. The positive carrier member30 is also connected to a B+ terminal 74, thus connecting the positiveswitches 26 to the positive terminal of the battery 22.

The terminal assembly 40 is connected to the positive carrier member 30.The terminal assembly includes a C-shaped plate portion 42 that providesa substantially arcuate main body with an inner side/surface and anouter side/surface. A plurality of posts 44 extend from an inner surfaceof the plate portion 42. The plate portion 42 and posts 44 are primarilycomprised of an insulating material, such as PPS or other insulativeplastic. A plurality of electrical traces 46 extend through the plateportion 42, embedded in the insulating material. These electrical traces46 are configured to provide connections between the switches 26, 28 andthe stator windings 62. Accordingly, the electrical traces 46 extendbetween and provide connections between switch leads 96 and windingleads 98, as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 3, the posts 44 of the terminal assembly 40 areconfigured to extend completely through the holes 66 in the positivecarrier member 30, with the posts 44 extending from the outer surface 36to the inner surface 38 of the positive carrier member 30. Each post 44of the terminal assembly includes several different segments 82, 84, 86of different diameters. A first segment 82 of the post 44 has a diameterthat is greater than the diameter of the holes 66 in the positivecarrier member 30. This first segment 82 is positioned on the outer sideof the positive carrier member 30. A second segment 84 of the post 44has a diameter that is less than the holes 66 in the positive carriermember 30. This second segment 84 extends through one of the holes 66. Athird segment 86 of the post 44 has a diameter that is greater than thediameter of the holes 66 in the positive carrier member 30. This thirdsegment 86 is positioned on the inner side of the positive carriermember 30. A first shoulder 90 is formed between the first segment 82and the second segment 84 of the post 44. A second shoulder 92 is formedbetween the second segment 84 and the third segment 86 of the post 44.The first shoulder 90 engages the outer surface 36 of the positivecarrier member 30. The second shoulder 92 engages the inner surface 38of the positive carrier member 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the terminal assembly 40 includes aplurality of passages 80 in the form of holes that extend completelythrough the terminal assembly from the outer side of the positivecarrier member 30 to the ends of the posts 44. The passages 80 areconfigured to receive the threaded portion of a bolt 48 or otherfastener member. A shoulder 88 is formed in each passage 80 such thatthe head of the bolt 48 engages the shoulder 88 and prevents the bolt 48from passing completely through the passage 80. The positive carriermember 30, negative carrier member 32, and terminal assembly 40 are allretained on the end of the alternator housing 12 by the fasteners 48that extend through holes 80 in the terminal assembly 40 and the holes66 of the positive carrier member 30 and into the threaded hole 94 onthe negative carrier member 32 (i.e., the end of the alternator housing12).

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the terminal assembly 40 is formedas a unitary component. The term “unitary component” as used hereinrefers to a component where the constituent parts of a componentnon-removably joined together such that the constituent parts may not beseparated without destruction of the component or one or more of theconstituent parts. The insulative portion of the terminal assembly 40 iscontinuous from the C-shaped plate portion 42 to the ends of the posts44 (i.e., to the third segment 86 of the post 44). Accordingly, theinsulative portion of the terminal assembly 40 may be formed by aprocess such as injection molding, or any other process resulting in acomponent that is substantially uniform throughout, and the componentnon-separable into constituent parts without destruction of thecomponent. The electrical traces 46 are attached to the insulativeportion of the terminal assembly 40. If the terminal assembly 40 isformed by a molding process, the electrical traces 46 of the terminalassembly 40 may be co-molded with the insulative portion, i.e. theelectrical traces 46 positioned in the mold prior to injection of theresin that forms the insulative portion. The electrical traces 46 mayalso be attached to the insulative portion of the terminal assembly by abonding, snapping, or similar process.

As noted in the preceding paragraph, the terminal assembly 40 is aunitary component that includes a post 44. This post 44 engages both theouter surface 36 of the positive carrier member 30 and the inner surface38 of the positive carrier member 30. As shown in FIG. 3, shoulder 90formed between the first segment 82 and the second segment 84 of thepost 44 engages the outer surface positive carrier member 30. Shoulder92 formed between the second segment 84 and the third segment 86 of thepost 44 engages the inner surface of the positive carrier member 30.FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the positive carrier member 30 andthe terminal assembly 40 from an inner side (i.e., alternator side) ofthe positive carrier member 30, thus showing the inner surface 38 of thepositive carrier member 30 with the third segment 86 of the post 44engaging the inner surface 38. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the thirdsegment 86 of the post 44 of the terminal assembly 40 has a diameterthat is greater than the diameter of the hole 66 of the positive carriermember 30, and thus the third segment 86 of the post 44 covers the hole66 from the perspective of FIG. 4.

With reference again to FIG. 3, the third segment 86 of the post 44 issandwiched between the positive carrier member 30 and the negativecarrier member 32. Accordingly, the third segment 86 of the post 44engages both the inner surface of the positive carrier member and theouter surface of the negative carrier member 32. The third segment 86 ofthe post may engage the outer surface of the negative carrier member 32at the bosses 78. The bosses 78 extend above the majority of the outersurface of the negative carrier member 32, thus distancing the majorityof the outer surface of the negative carrier member 32 from the innersurface 38 of the positive carrier member 30. Moreover, the thirdsegment 86 of the terminal assembly post 44 further distances thepositive carrier member 30 from the negative carrier member 32 andelectrically insulates the positive carrier member 30 from the negativecarrier member 32. In at least one embodiment, it is desirable to haveat least 3mm of clearance (in the axial direction) between the positivecarrier member 30 and the negative carrier member 32 in order to reducethe chances of corrosion on the members 30, 32 and to furtherelectrically insulate the members 30, 32. Accordingly, the bosses 78 maybe about 2.5-5 mm in height and the third segment 86 of the terminalassembly post 44 may be about 0.5-3 mm in height. When a taller boss 78is used in the design, a shorter third segment 86 of the terminalassembly post 44 may be used. As previously mentioned, the boss 78 isoptional. If the design option has no bosses 78, then the third segment86 of the terminal assembly post 44 may be 2.5-6 mm. However, a shorterthird segment 86 is desirable in order to lessen the creep of theplastic forming the third segment 86.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a method of forming the post 44 of theterminal assembly is now described. The described method results in thepost 44 of the unitary terminal assembly engaging both the inner surfaceand the outer surface of the positive carrier member. The method beginswith step 202 wherein the terminal assembly 40 is initially formed witheach post 44 having only two segments, including the first segment 82(having a first diameter) and an extended version of the second segment84 (having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter).During this step 202, the positive carrier member 30 is also formed,including holes 66 configured to receive the posts 44. Each hole 66 hasa diameter sized to pass the second segment 84 of the post 44 but blockpassage of the first segment 82 of the post 44.

In step 204, the posts 44 are inserted into the holes 66 in the positivecarrier member 30. When the posts 44 are inserted into the holes 66, thefirst segment 82 engages the outer surface 36 of the positive carriermember 30 at the shoulder 90, and the second segment 84 extends throughthe hole 66 in the positive carrier member 30. As a result, an endportion 85 of the second segment 84 extends past the inner surface 38 ofthe positive carrier member 30, as shown in FIG. 6. Next, at step 206,the end portion 85 of the second segment 84 is heat staked or otherwisedeformed. This deformation results in formation of the third segment 86of the post 44 of the terminal assembly, as shown in FIG. 7. This thirdsegment 86 provides a head on the post having a diameter that is greaterthan the diameter of the hole 66 in the positive carrier member 30. Whenall of the posts 44 are heat staked in this manner, the terminalassembly 40 is connected to the positive carrier member 30, resulting inan arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 4.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, in step 208 the positive carriermember 30 and terminal assembly 40 arrangement is then engaged with theend of the alternator housing that provides the negative carrier member32. Next, in step 210, bolts 48 or other fasteners are inserted throughthe passages 80 in the terminal assembly, causing the threaded portionsof the bolts to pass through the posts 44 and holes 66 in the positivecarrier member 30, and into the threaded holes 94 in the negativecarrier member 32. When the bolts are tightened, the positive carriermember 30 and terminal assembly 40 are fixed in place to the negativecarrier member 32 on the end of the alternator 10.

The foregoing detailed description of one or more embodiments of theelectric machine with combined insulator and terminal assembly has beenpresented herein by way of example only and not limitation. For example,in at least one embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, at least one post 44 a ofthe terminal assembly 40 extends through a passage in the positivecarrier member 30 which is provided as a recess 35 formed in a perimeteredge 34 of the carrier member 30. This recess 35 may be considered ahole at the perimeter edge 34 of the carrier member 30 because therecess disrupts the continuity of the carrier member 30, andparticularly the perimeter edge 34, and forms a passage from the innerside to the other side of the carrier member 30. Because the recess 35does not completely encircle the post 44 a, the post 44 a is thereforeexposed in the recess 35. Similar to the previously describedembodiments, the first segment 82 a of the post 44 a is enlarged at theouter side of the carrier member 30, the second segment 84 a is thinnerand relatively elongated and straight, and the third segment 86 a isenlarged at the inner side of the carrier member 30.

In yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, another post 44 b of theterminal assembly 40 extends completely around the perimeter edge 34 ofthe positive carrier member 30 without passing through any passagethrough the positive carrier member 30. In this embodiment, the secondsegment 84 b of the post 44 b extends radially outward from the firstsegment 82 of the post 44 b at the outer side of the carrier member 30and to the perimeter edge 34 of the carrier member 30. The secondsegment 84 b of the post 44 b then extends around the perimeter edge 34of the carrier member 30 and to the inner side of the carrier member 30.The second segment 84 b of the post 44 b then extends radially inward tothird segment 86 b of the post located on the inner side of the carriermember. In this manner, the post 84 b is configured to extend from theouter side to the inner side of the carrier member 30 without extendingthrough any recesses, holes or other passages in the carrier member.

As shown by the foregoing description, the electric machine withcombined insulator and terminal assembly is not limited to anyparticular embodiment, including the exemplary embodiments disclosedherein. Moreover, there are advantages to individual advancementsdescribed herein that may be obtained without incorporating otheraspects of various embodiments described above. Therefore, the spiritand scope of the appended claims should not be limited to thedescription of those embodiments contained herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronics package for an alternatorcomprising: a positive carrier member including an inner side, an outerside; a plurality of switches connected to the positive carrier member;and a terminal assembly engaging the positive carrier member, theterminal assembly including an electrically insulative portion and aplurality of electrical traces attached to the electrically insulativeportion, the electrically insulative portion including a post extendingfrom the inner side to the outer side of the positive carrier member, afirst shoulder engaging the outer side of the positive carrier member,and a second shoulder engaging the inner side of the positive carriermember, the second shoulder provided by a deformed segment of the post,the post, first shoulder, and second shoulder formed as a unitarycomponent.
 2. The electronics package of claim 1 wherein the secondshoulder engaging the inner side of the positive carrier member isconfigured as a heat staked shoulder formed on the inner side of thepositive carrier member.
 3. The electronics package of claim 1, thefirst shoulder defined by a first surface substantially perpendicular tothe post, and the second shoulder defined by a second surfacesubstantially perpendicular to the post.
 4. The electronics package ofclaim 1 further comprising a ground member engaging the second shoulderof the terminal assembly, the second shoulder separating the groundmember from the positive carrier member.
 5. The electronics package ofclaim 4 wherein the plurality of switches is a first plurality ofswitches, the electronics package further comprising a second pluralityof switches connected to the ground member.
 6. The electronics packageof claim 5 wherein the first plurality and second plurality of switchesare connected to provide a rectifier.
 7. The electronics package ofclaim 4 further comprising a fastener extending through the post andinto the ground member such that the terminal assembly and the positivecarrier member are fastened to the ground member.
 8. The electronicspackage of claim 4 wherein the ground member is a housing of thealternator.
 9. The electronics package of claim 1 wherein the positivecarrier member is in a C-shaped plate form.
 10. The electronics packageof claim 1, the positive carrier member including a plurality of finsconfigured to dissipate heat.
 11. The electronics package of claim 1wherein the insulative portion includes a substantially arcuate mainbody with an inner side and an outer side, the post extending from theinner side of the main body.
 12. The electronics package of claim 1wherein the electrical traces of the terminal assembly are co-moldedwith the insulative portion.
 13. The electronics package of claim 1wherein the post of the terminal assembly extends through a hole in thepositive carrier member.
 14. The electronics package of claim 1 whereinthe post of the terminal assembly extends around a perimeter edge of thepositive carrier member.
 15. The electronics package of claim 14 whereinat least one recess is defined along the perimeter edge of the positivecarrier, and the post of the terminal assembly extends through the atleast one recess.
 16. The electronics package of claim 15 wherein theelectrically insulative portion is comprised of a material defined by amechanical strength that prevents the first shoulder and the secondshoulder from being non-destructively forced into the at least onerecess.
 17. An alternator comprising: a plurality of windings; arectifier electrically connected to the windings, the rectifierincluding a plurality of diodes; a carrier member with the plurality ofdiodes mounted on the carrier member, the carrier member including afirst surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface on thecarrier member; and a unitary terminal assembly coupled to the carriermember, the unitary terminal assembly including an insulative portionwith electrical traces extending through the insulative portion, theelectrical traces providing a connection between the plurality of diodesand the plurality of windings, the insulative portion of the unitaryterminal assembly engaging both the first surface and the second surfaceof the carrier member including a first shoulder engaging the firstsurface of the carrier member and a second shoulder engaging the secondsurface of the carrier member.
 18. The alternator of claim 17 whereinthe insulative portion of the unitary terminal assembly includes a firstsegment extending around a perimeter edge of the carrier member.
 19. Anelectronics package for an alternator comprising: a carrier memberincluding an inner side, an outer side; and a terminal assembly engagingthe carrier member, the terminal assembly including an electricallyinsulative portion and a plurality of electrical traces, theelectrically insulative portion including a segment extending from theouter side to the inner side of the carrier member, and a shoulderengaging the inner side of the carrier member, the shoulder provided bya deformation of the segment.
 20. The alternator of claim 19 wherein arecess is defined along a perimeter edge of the carrier member, whereinthe electrically insulative portion of the terminal assembly includes apost extending across the perimeter edge of the carrier member via therecess.